The gaming headset market nowadays is starting to feel like the mouse mat market; pretty much all gimmicks that tries to spice up its main purpose. It isn’t all that bad but somewhere along the line manufacturers just lose focus of what’s important and it’s the consumer that ends up getting a bad deal.
Today we have Tt eSports’ Shock Spin gaming headset aimed at gamers with a surprisingly mass-market appeal. Will these pair of cans deliver a shock or will just leave us spinning around confused? On to the review and let’s make this showy!
Tt eSports entered the gaming audio arena with their Shock headset and was soon followed-up with the Shock Spin; a no-nonsense solution for the mainstream crowd. This release accompanies various other products in Tt eSports’ relentless assault to garner much market from the current companies dominating the gaming peripheral scene.
[toggle title=”Specifications”]Headphone
- Frequency response: 15~20,000Hz
- Impedance: 32 ohms, 1 kHz
- Sensitivity: 95±3 dB SPL/mW, at 1kHz
- Rated Power:40mW
- Maximum Power:100mW
Microphone
- Sensitivity: -34±3 dBV / Pa@1 kHz
- Frequency: 100~10K Hz
- Direction :Omini-direction
PRODUCT IMAGES
[tabs tab1=”Packaging” tab2=”Closer Look”] [tab]| [singlepic id=4925 w=260 h=180 float=center]Familiar headset packaging style here with the Shock Spin. Tt eSports ships the product in a red and black box with a shot of the Shock Spin along with the color variant on the box cover with a clear window showing what’s inside. | [singlepic id=4927 w=260 h=180 float=center]The side of the packaging features the specs and some outline drawing of the package contents. |
| [singlepic id=4928 w=260 h=180 float=center]The back of the box has the same outline illustrations highlighted by marketing bullets and multiple translations. | [singlepic id=4931 w=260 h=180 float=center]Inside the box are a modest helping of the Shock Spin headphone, a microphone and extension cord with the inline controller, a manual and a warranty policy sheet. |
| [singlepic id=4932 w=260 h=180 float=center]Perhaps one of the most distinguishing physical attribute of the Shock Spin is the “cyclone†design as Tt eSports puts it. It’s more for show and styling really and nothing of functional significance. As with any other physical feature, the design is really up to the beholder to decide. This reviewer personally feels that the plastic needs a bit of touch as the look alone especially on the red model gives it a cheap, bootleg look. | [singlepic id=4933 w=260 h=180 float=center]Looking at the headset from this angle, we can see the sizing band and main headband arching over the user’s head. The resizing band stretches accordingly to the headsize of the user and will accommodate ear to ear diameters of 26cm (10.23 inches). The headband will bend more but overstressing it might lead to breakage as the plastic quality suggests a lower stress threshold. |
| [singlepic id=4934 w=260 h=180 float=center]Tt eSports offers the Shock Spin in various colors including black and ours came in white and red. The red version features a more varied look than its monochromatic siblings. Further visible in this picture is the mesh earcup right behind the cyclone design. This allows air to passthrough for a cooler wearing experience but it also allows sounds to leak or be heard while worn. | [singlepic id=4935 w=260 h=180 float=center]An extension cable with a controller dongle is included measuring 26cm (8.26 inches) which is pretty lengthy. This feature gives the Shock Spin flexibility during usage as it allows control over the output as well as where you plug the Shock Spin. |
| [singlepic id=4936 w=260 h=180 float=center]The microphone, contrary to standard design, came in as an individual module featuring a clip and a lengthy 27cm (10.62 inches) braided cable that either comes in white or black depending on your color of choice. The white version has white cables whereas the black and red both have black cables. The microphone plugs into the inline controller dongle next to the headphone jack. | [singlepic id=4937 w=260 h=180 float=center]Note that both controller dongle and the microphone come with a Velcro strap inline for cable management. We appreciate Tt eSports attention to this detail as well as the choice of gold-plated jacks. |
TESTING
[singlepic id=2242 w=320 h=240 float=center]To test out the Shock Spin we use a Lexicon Omega external audio device for PC usage scenarios and a Sony Walkman NW-E005 as our music player of choice.
[tabs tab1=”Music” tab2=”Movies” tab3=”Games” tab4=”Mic” tab5=”Comfort” tab6=”Functionality” tab7=”Remarks”] [tab]Various Artists – Macross Frontier Original Soundtrack [Album][FLAC 1132]
-         A balanced mix of orchestra music, smooth vocal performance and upbeat modern pop makes this soundtrack compilation an awesome blend. Particularly worth noting are some of the well-mixed acapella performances. Tt eSports’ Shock Spin gives a bright feel to the sound with an added openness but on some heavy tracks the Shock Spin just doesn’t give that amount of punch that the track deserves. We also felt that the Shock Spin doesn’t lend itself kindly to changing genres since the most pop music sound weak without a V-profile in the EQ and vocals requiring either an A or flat.
KCE Japan Sound Team – Metal Gear OST [Album][CD]
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â A classical compilation of tracks that a majority of gamers hold dear. From calming soft strings with blizzard ambient that cycles to intense, panic-inducing music that subconsciously suggests the listener to get into the act of running. Similar to the previous album, we have classical orchestra with a lone song laid with old Latin vocals. The Shock Spin still feels congested, and some discerning listener will notice a mild distortion at around 120-160hz.
C4 – Tha Unexpected [Album][CD ]
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â A gem from the early years of hiphop here in the Philippines, this album features tracks with bars drowned in tinny hi-hat and kicks. This is where we found the Shock Spin a bit unimpressive having needed to tweak the EQ depending on the nature and groove of the track. That aside though, it was a good listen. This reviewer still has mixed feeling regarding the lows and mids having some distortion.
Beast(B2ST) – Shock of the New Era [Album][MP3 320kbps]
-         Yes, I just had to include this. A Kpop offering comprised of heavily synthed melodies adorned with impressive vocals.This is where the Shock Spin gets docked really badly with anything in the treble range just started to feel synthetic and squished when bass drums start to get mixed in. Alongside that, there’s also the issue of having that distortion I mentioned earlier.
[/tab] [tab]Kamen Rider W Forever: A to Z GaiaMemories
[singlepic id=5405 w=420 h=320 float=center]I’m using this video not because it has excellent overall audio quality but simply for the fact that its sound effects feels like they were given twice as much attention to compared to the fight scenes. That said, the opening parts of the film itself helps us gauge positional capabilities and depth rendering. Off-screen sound effects sounded well in place and highly convincing with foley effects for the fight scenes are impressive.We also get a taste of what the Shock Spin promises namely the explosions. We find its explosions and impact rendering quite admirable but nothing spectacular although in games, this would be an ok experience but we’ll see that later.
Dialogs are crisp and overall, it’s an on ok experience.
[/tab] [tab] [singlepic id=5411 w=480 h=320 float=center]We fire up Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and have some fun testing out what these cans are really meant for. This is what really sets apart gaming-oriented headsets from monitors and music headphones. With a focus on FPS and other weapon-related audio, the Shock Spin complements the player by highlighting important in-game audio which helps the gamer judge his next move and provides a more engaging experience.
We’ve already noted the good positional capabilities of the Shock Spin. The same can be said in this test also. Footsteps and gunfire are clear and appear to be “in-place†with just the right amount of depth to help the gamer make his next move. Explosions and grenade bounce are also well highlighted.
The Shock Spin really redeemed itself in this round.
[/tab] [tab]The microphone breaks it all a bit though with high susceptibility to ambient noise and your shirt or skin rubbing on wire. Still, given the best circumstances the mic does perform quite decently but lacks anything to really make it a stand-out feature.[/tab] [tab]With an unconventional headband design, Tt eSports compromised style for comfort and in this respect, we are highly impressed. The cups are comfortable and feel cooler compared to other cushions we’ve tested. The stretchable headband is also light on the noggin and doesn’t put much weight on the dome of your head. This is major plus points to Tt eSports as the comfort alone can make the sale for some intense and hardcore players who game long session and demand comfort above all.
These all come with a bit of foreword though: the cups smell rancid on first-use. Out of the box they smell like factory material and it usually takes a week or so to get rid of if you sweat easy if not then it might take a few more weeks of usage before the stench goes away. We have 3 of these headsets and all of them had the smell. I know people who own it and theirs also have that smell which leads us to inform you, the buyers, that if you’re Shock Spin does not have a pungent, factory foam odor in your new headset then chances are yours are already used.
The wires are also an issue having to manage a pair of wires can be quite the task even with the included clips and straps, setting up before the game isn’t really as fast as just sitting down and putting the headset on. This is where on-cup mic boom really shine and the main reason why most gamers prefer it that way. Having a clip-on mic puts the microphone at a distance and makes it prone to accidental removal making it a distraction or in professional situations, even a major disaster if such were to occur in a match where communication is key.
Minor encumbrances aside, the feel of wearing the headset is just superb.
[/tab] [tab]Despite its lacking in such department, the Shock Spin can be used as a regular headphone. It’s up to you though if you think the style is street-worthy. Having a modular build does have its perks but unfortunately this is where Tt eSports came up short in assessing gamer needs. For a headset that performs nicely in games, the modular mic and inline controller doesn’t do well for gamers. Having a tangled mess when cords come less and fumbling around for the volume wheel are but a few instances worth noting when considering this headset.
[/tab] [tab]We’d also like the point out that this headset should NEVER be used in conjunction with an onboard audio solution. The 990FX Fatal1ty’s Realtek ALC 892 even though a decent sounding chip provides poor, nausea-inducing sound on the Shock Spin. I was opting to use the onboard audio to simulate an entry-level system but I ended up having a migraine from the spongy sound coming off the Shock Spin whereas the PC360 and Orca didn’t have these issues. You’ll be seeing this again in the conclusion since some readers tend to jump to that part.
[/tab] [/tabs]CONCLUSION
NEVER USE THIS HEADSET WITH A WEAK/ONBOARD AUDIO SOLUTION
Again we reiterate the importance of having a decent sound card or audio device powering the Shock Spin. Any source with sub-par audio would end up sounding like a wet boot slipping on a linoleum floor with mucus spread all over it… like an iPod.
Given that situation, if you have a decent soundcard you’re all set for the Shock Spin. Coming at around ₱2,150, it’s a tempting product. With decent gaming performance and top-notch comfort, Tt eSports’ Shock Spin is a good choice for long-session FPS gamers.
[singlepic id=4926 w=480 h=320 float=center]If you already have a decent soundcard and the modular mic and cables don’t bother you or you won’t be using them, the Shock Spin is an affordable option that easily competes with more mainstream brands. If you want to carry your own style and you think the Shock Spin appeals to you visually, it’s actually an ok headphone provided you have a capable music source.
The Shock Spin is a promising product with a mixed bag of tricks. Paired with the proper hardware, it hits a price-to-performance sweet-spot that’s usually uncommon for gaming headsets.
… but if you demand a more engaging environment, there’s the Shock One or Shock Spin HD. [review teaser]
